4 Important Questions to Ask a Criminal Defence Lawyer

The purpose of this article is to help you make a more informed decision when choosing legal representation, it is vital that you hire an experienced, knowledgeable criminal defence lawyer when facing a serious charge. You want someone who understands your case, and has all the necessary tools to help you avoid a criminal conviction.

Here are 4 important questions to ask a criminal defence lawyer.

Do they offer a free initial consultation?

Speaking to a lawyer for 10 minutes over the phone won’t be enough to thoroughly explain your case including every unique detail. To fully evaluate your circumstance, you’ll need to meet with a lawyer face to face and speak about your case. It gives you a chance to get a feel for the lawyer and properly explain why you are facing criminal charges, it also allows them to fully evaluate your case and give you a quote. A first-rate criminal lawyer will offer a free initial consultation, they’ll also be able to provide some excellent advice with regards to your situation.

What is their primary focus?

You can have a quick look through their website and read about each staff member, it will give you a better understanding of their background history and in what area they specialise. Do you need an assault lawyer in Perth, or a blackmail expert in Brisbane? Choose lawyers who focus on specific areas, not just general practitioners. When it comes to criminal law, there are numerous fields.

Homicide & Manslaughter

Assault

Armed Robbery

Drugs Offences

Sexual Assault

The list above is just a small sample of the many areas of criminal law, so if you’re facing an assault charge, it is advisable to hire an attorney who has experience dealing with cases like the one you are facing.

How much do they charge?

When facing a criminal charge, you want to hire a good lawyer, but you don’t want to pay too much and get yourself into financial difficulty. It is important to find out whether they work off a fixed fee or on an hourly basis, a fixed fee is more desirable because you don’t know how long the whole process is going to take, so paying by the hour could end up incredibly expensive. Your solicitor should be able to give you a straight answer, although it can be difficult to predict a timespan, they must give you a genuine response.

Who will be handling my case?

This is one of the most important questions you should ask, a lot of the time people think they are hiring a specific lawyer, but they end up handing your case over to one of their understudies. Make sure the person you hired is the one who is primarily working on your case, and not a paralegal.

Use these questions to source a competent, first-class criminal lawyer. Facing criminal charges is a serious offence, so you’ll want the right type of legal representation to support and guide you through the defence process. An excellent lawyer will help you get a successful result.